Rafael Loureiro

Rafael Loureiro serves as an Associate Professor of Botany and Plant Physiology at Winston-Salem State University since August 2018, coordinating organismal biology and botany courses while conducting research on plant physiological responses and crop growth in extraplanetary environments. Additionally, Rafael is a Senior Research Investigator at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science and holds several leadership roles, including Director of Operations for the Space Agriculture Laboratory Analysis Database and Collaborative Research Coordinator for NASA's Space Act Agreement with WSSU. Prior academic roles include Adjunct Faculty positions at Florida Polytechnic University and Ave Maria University, as well as extensive research collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center. Rafael's academic credentials include a PhD in Botany with a focus on stress physiology, a Master's in Ecophysiology, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Biology Education and Marine Biology.